M6 Battery question

[srtiwari]

Have an M6 (Classic) that I have used reliably for years. 2 weeks ago the meter "lights" (arrows) in the viewfinder seemed to become very dim. Fiddling etc. seemed to brighten them briefly , but couldn't remember when I had changed batteries last, but was a long time ago. So I switched to fresh A76s at the local drugstore chain . Now 2 days later the lights dimmed, intermittently flickering, and then faded altogether.
So, I can change batteries again, BUT wonder if its something else. Also, now worrying (never did before) whether it has anything to with Silver vs Alkaline , or A76 vs LR 44s etc.- you get the idea.
Anyone know what might be the problem ? Is this common ? Am I looking at expensive (hope not) repairs ? Or did I just buy old/weak batteries ?
Appreciate any help.
Subhash

 

[wtl]

I use two LR44 or SR44 on my M6 and usually they last for a looooong time. Have you cleaned the contact?

 

[ywenz]

So after you popped in new batteries and the lights started dimming again, would you regain the lights after reinserting the same batteries? I'm wondering, if it really is the battery draining down or is it bad contacts?

 

[EmilGil]

Isn't the M6 famous for draining the batteries pretty quickly if you forget to turn off the meter? 2 days seems a bit too quick though...

Like Ywenz suggested it might be oxide on the contacts, try to clean them with some pure alcohol or gasoline.

 

[dll927]

Alcohol or gasoline??? What happened to a pencil eraser?

I think this whole question of camera batteries needs some looking at. Consumer Reports is probably right in saying that the most convenient situation is a camera that takes AA batteries. At least they are always available. Even if they normally use L-ion or NiMH batteries, the regular ones can do in a pinch. Instead, every company wants to come up with its own proprietary batteries so they can rake in more $$$. Not only so, but the cameras from the same company take a different battery every time a new model comes out.

 

[jaapv]

This is very common with the M6: Leave the shutter cocked, drop it into the camera-bag, the shutterrelease will depress halfway and the battery drains. Happens to me all the time. I use 1/3N lithium batteries btw.

 

[Ben Z]

The alkaline button cells you bought are a last-ditch emergency choice for the M6 because they don't maintain a constant voltage as they are used, and alkalines have a greater potential for leaking corrosives. Silver cells are more reliable, and the 3v lithium cells have the greatest un-used shelf-life (not to mention not having to deal with another set of contacts between batteries). I would clean the contacts with an eraser followed by a Q-tip with pure alcohol (damp, not soaked!), then put in a set of SR76 or better, the lithium, with an expiration date several years into the future on the blister pack, and see if that corrects the problem, before sending it off for repairs. If your M6 is one of the early ones (where the triangles go out with the lenscap on rather than blink), Sherry says they are all starting to die, but hopefully that's not your case because the circuit boards themselves cost $270, plus all the labor to install them. My Wetzlar M6 evidently had the meter board replaced before I got it because the triangles act like the later model.

 

[jaapv]

Alcohol or gasoline??? What happened to a pencil eraser?

I think this whole question of camera batteries needs some looking at. Consumer Reports is probably right in saying that the most convenient situation is a camera that takes AA batteries. At least they are always available. Even if they normally use L-ion or NiMH batteries, the regular ones can do in a pinch. Instead, every company wants to come up with its own proprietary batteries so they can rake in more $$$. Not only so, but the cameras from the same company take a different battery every time a new model comes out.

Any Leica (except the digital ones) takes a range of the same generic batteries, so I think your complaint, though valid generally, doesn't apply here.

 

[vha]

Sounds strange . . haven´t changed the batteries in my M6 since june and have probably forgot to switch it of at least 5 times since then, and still no need for changing batteries, and the film i s always winded. I´m using SR44 batteries, think their form sony (?)

cleaning the contacts and trying once more with new batteries is probably worth trying before sending the camera to a repairman

vha

 

[jaapv]

If your bag clears the top of the camera, you're fine. If it touches the release-button, your battery is empty.

 

[teemu.laine]

And if you want to avoid battery exhaustion you can switch your shutter speed selector dial to B when you put your camera in your bag.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Check your bag according to Jaap's suggestion. I had a battery problem in Costa Rica just because I forgot to turn the shutterspeed dial to "off" (in your case, B), and the battery was dead in 24 hours.

 

[ywenz]

I'm suprised that the shutter did not get triggered seeing how much battery drain occured..

 

[srtiwari]

Thank you all for those quick and helpful responses. Now- to add a slight twist to all this- I only knew that A76s were needed since those were the kind in the camera at the time, but the store only had v76 PXs, and assured me they would be fine. AND (BenZ) the A76s had been in the camera a loooong while and without apprent problem. Also, I am not storing the camera any differently than usual. Furthermore, someone (can't remember who or where) had told me that it was better to keep the shutter cocked, anyway.
And finally, I guess I should try the Lithium cell (how are they labeled ?) to see if that solves the problem.

Subhash

 

[srtiwari]

Oh, and BTW, taking out and putting the cells back in DOES bring the lights on, but they fade again over 10 seconds.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Some people—the Leica fetishists—won't store the camera with the shutter cocked on account of the tension that it creates. Other people simply consider these cameras tough enough, and don't see a problem with it.

I prefer NOT to store it with the shutter cocked. Why? I simply want to get the camera ready for a shot, instead of risking an accidental one.

 

[jaapv]

The lithium battery is 1/3 N. One replaces two cells.

 

[Ben Z]

AND (BenZ) the A76s had been in the camera a loooong while and without apprent problem.

Subhash

Alkaline batteries can cause corrosion along the wiring and throughout the meter circuit (according to the repair gurus). Hopefully that's not what has happened.